Courthouse

Project Details:

TIMELINE: 12 Weeks

MEDIUMS USED: Foam core, Wood, Rhino 6, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop

CONSTRAINTS: COVID Remote Learning, Preexisting building must not be changed structurally and the facade should be preserved, 2x Courtrooms: 5,000sqft Judges quarters 1,200sqft, Small Meeting Rooms 1,000sqft, Jury Deliberation room 800sqft, Conference Rooms 1,000sqft, Administration / Office 2,500sqft, Bathrooms 500sqft, Lobby 3,000sqft, Circulation 2,500sqft, Technical /Storage 1,000sqft (TOTAL: 17,500 sqft).

ABOUT THE DESIGN PROCESS: The process was broken down into two 6-week sessions. For the first six weeks, we joined two other students in designing the courtroom, whereas weeks 7-12 would be spent individually designing the courthouse within 3224 Locust Street in St. Louis, which was the historical site we were tasked with preserving. During the first two weeks I worked with my group mates to develop our principal. We knew that both happy and tragic occurrences happen inside a courtroom. We also wanted to instill a sense of equality under the law, which eventually resulted in our main geometry. We utilized the doorway that leads to the jury deliberation room to transform into the table-like structure that the jury, defendants, prosecutors, administrative personnel, and the judge sit at. The only difference between the people sitting at the table, besides location, is the judge, who is located at the front of the courtroom with his elevator and the flag directly behind him. The classroom features a space for viewers, designed similar to an amphitheater, with a slight elevation after each row of seating.

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The courthouse, designed in weeks 7-12 sought to maintain the same principles as the courtrooms inside it. Inspired by the Ontario College of Art & Design in Toronto, the courtrooms and jury deliberation rooms are elevated above the existing structure. In an effort to preserve sensibility toward the public, the roof of the original building has been turned into a green garden, where people can enjoy some fresh air in a safe space. The structure also includes one elevator for the public, and three private separate elevators, one for the judge and administrative personnel, one for the defense, and the third for the prosecution. This system ensures safe passage between spaces without risk for unpleasant and dangerous encounters. The fourth floor's main design depends on the restrictions due to the structure above. Based on the elevator location and the natural light prioritized for office spaces, the public portion of the courthouse is located in the center of the building. By locating all the public amenities in the center, the outside space can be used as office spaces for judges and other administrative personnel, with the intent to provide a comfortable environment to them as well.